6 charged in northwest Ohio in truck theft ring

Published: March 9, 2013 12:46AM

TOLEDO -- Six men from northwest Ohio, including four family members, have been indicted on federal charges of running a multimillion-dollar, multistate truck theft ring and cutting up the rigs for parts, according to a 17-count indictment announced Friday.

The defendants were charged with running the truck theft ring out of two locations in Toledo and stealing vehicles in a three-state region.

Authorities say they dismantled stolen semi-trucks, trailers and cargo and dealt in stolen vehicles and parts.

"These defendants operated a truck- and cargo-theft ring, stealing from Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, which resulted in multimillion-dollar losses," said Stephen D. Anthony, who leads the FBI in northern Ohio.

The charges involve thefts between last August and February, according to the top federal prosecutor in northern Ohio, U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach, who called the suspects "a highly organized group."

The charges include conspiracy, theft of interstate shipments and transporting stolen vehicles and goods.

Deutsch's attorney said that the indictment had been expected and that his client would fight the charges. "We look forward to the next court appearance ... where Mr. Deutsch will plead not guilty," John Thebes said in an email.

The other defense attorneys either were unavailable or had no comment Friday.

The indictment said the thefts occurred in Coldwater, Jonesville and Newport, Mich.; Holiday City and Bloomville, Ohio; and Chesterfield, Fremont, Lebanon, Marion, New Haven, Warren and Woodburn, Ind.

Some of the stolen materials were sold for scrap in New Castle, Pa., according to the indictment.